After that continental win, Futre was traded to Atlético Madrid in Spain, earning a reported annual salary of €650,000.[2] At the capital outfit, he quickly rose to fan favourite status, but his physical weakness left him with several knee injuries which tormented his career in the 1990s.[2]

Futre worked as director of football at Atlético Madrid from 2000 to 2003,[6] subsequently becoming a real-estate developer in his hometown.[2] In May 2011, he was part of Dias Ferreira's team in an unsuccessful run for Sporting's presidency.[7]

Futre played 41 times for Portugal in a 12-year span, scoring six goals. His debut came against Finland for the UEFA Euro 1984qualifiers, on 27 April 1983 – he was only 17 years and 204 days old, breaking a national team record.[2]

Futre was a member of the Portuguese national team that competed in the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, playing 90 minutes in the 1–3 loss against Morocco, in an eventual group stage exit.[8]